What's the right thing to do?

[Simplyrla]

I did something really stupid. I did not inspect a rooster and hen before accepting them. I was feeling so bad about losing some hens to a dog that I let good sense escape me. Well, the poor dears have mites and scaley mites so bad I am not even sure the roo can recover as there is a large portion of his legs without any scales and look very red he also looks like he maybe missing a toe. The hen's legs do not have a smooth place on them. On top of that they both have bumblefoot. I have looked up treatments etc and have started working on them. But tonight I just felt so bad for them I am wondering if I am prolonging their pain. Am I being humane? They are eating and drinking and walking (though I don't know how the rooster is). I just want to do what is right for them. They did not have a pleasant life before coming here. Obviously very neglected.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I did something really stupid. I did not inspect a rooster and hen before accepting them. I was feeling so bad about losing some hens to a dog that I let good sense escape me. Well, the poor dears have mites and scaley mites so bad I am not even sure the roo can recover as there is a large portion of his legs without any scales and look very red he also looks like he maybe missing a toe. The hen's legs do not have a smooth place on them. On top of that they both have bumblefoot. I have looked up treatments etc and have started working on them. But tonight I just felt so bad for them I am wondering if I am prolonging their pain. Am I being humane? They are eating and drinking and walking (though I don't know how the rooster is). I just want to do what is right for them. They did not have a pleasant life before coming here. Obviously very neglected.

Can you please post some photos? (whole body, legs, bottom of feet, etc.)

Do you have other chickens? I would house the new rooster and hen separately until you can get them healthy.
Tell us what you have been doing so far for treatment.

Getting rid of the mites/lice on the body would be the first step - use a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust, treat both birds and where you are keeping them. Repeat in 7 day intervals a few times.

For leg and feet - photos are going to help. Basic care for Scaly Leg Mites is to gently clean the legs, then apply some type of oil (vaseline, castor, A+D, etc.) Apply liberally, working up under the scales. Apply your oil a few times a week.

Bumblefoot - again, photos will be helpful. Depending on how bad, you may be able to soak, dry, apply ointment and wrap - after a few days of doing this, you can work the scab and plug loose. Sometimes, cutting the bumble out is the way to go.

If at all possible, collect some samples of poop and have your vet look for worms.

I would see that they are eating/drinking well. Add some poultry vitamins to their feed or water for a few days.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hopefully they are your only birds. Get the body parasites under control immediately.
The scaly leg mites and bumblefoot will take longer but the birds will benefit from being rid of the others.
Ivermectin can be effective for scaly leg mites but a traditional treatment is to brush the legs and roosts once a month with a mixture of one part kerosene to two parts linseed oil.
1/4 cc of ivermectin per bird by mouth will be helpful.

 

[Kris5902]

I second the ivermectin... it works wonders for the Scaly leg mites, in addition to topical treatments. Pictures of the birds and legs/feet would be helpful. You will get more specific advice and guidance. I believe that it is worth the time and effort with birds to give them a chance at a healthy life, and that you will not just be “prolonging their pain” you’re providing relief and the opportunity for a pleasant existence. It’s not easy, lots of work, but worthwhile.

 

[Kris5902]

Here is my experience treating scaly leg mites without the ivermectin
What to do with this foot?
Since this experience I have been using the pour on ivermectin and same basic soaking, oiling, and debriding process. It goes much faster, and is more sure in killing the parasites. The missing scales won’t regrow in my experience, but the chicken did return to a normal life.

 

[Simplyrla]

I will try to get pictures of his legs. Both are very skiddish and very hard to catch. I am using the permethrin dust on both and have washed and applied vaseline with lanolin on their legs. I also used Prid on the bottom of his feet and wrapped them. I really appreciate your wisdom and experience in this. By the way I have 2 surviving hens but they are in another coop. I am treating them as a precaution though.

 

[Simplyrla]

Can you please post some photos? (whole body, legs, bottom of feet, etc.)

Do you have other chickens? I would house the new rooster and hen separately until you can get them healthy.
Tell us what you have been doing so far for treatment.

Getting rid of the mites/lice on the body would be the first step - use a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust, treat both birds and where you are keeping them. Repeat in 7 day intervals a few times.

For leg and feet - photos are going to help. Basic care for Scaly Leg Mites is to gently clean the legs, then apply some type of oil (vaseline, castor, A+D, etc.) Apply liberally, working up under the scales. Apply your oil a few times a week.

Bumblefoot - again, photos will be helpful. Depending on how bad, you may be able to soak, dry, apply ointment and wrap - after a few days of doing this, you can work the scab and plug loose. Sometimes, cutting the bumble out is the way to go.

If at all possible, collect some samples of poop and have your vet look for worms.

I would see that they are eating/drinking well. Add some poultry vitamins to their feed or water for a few days.

 

[Simplyrla]

View attachment 1828029

I know these are poor pictures. I will try to get close ups when my husband can help me.

 

[Kris5902]

Well, in the first picture I think they look pretty good for having not been in nice conditions, definitely worth trying to rehabilitate. Of course a close up inspection probably shows more issues. There is definitely something wrong with that leg on the Rooster though from your pictures it’s hard to tell quite what. Too bad they never just hold still for photos. Given the option “hold this chicken or...” my husband always picks the “or”, unless the or involves rubbing things on their little feeties!

You may want to try getting them at night when they are more docile, snag them off the roost and wrap well with a towel to get good shots of the legs. The girls I am working on as my rescues are usually so bad when I take them in they don’t fight me at all. (2lb chickens. Not bantams!) Granted, I’ve never had to try and treat a rooster for it, from my experiences handling my boys that could be exciting. Husbands are good chicken helpers.

Best wishes and I’ll keep following along with you, they are beautiful birds, despite their previous circumstances!

 

[Simplyrla]

Well, in the first picture I think they look pretty good for having not been in nice conditions, definitely worth trying to rehabilitate. Of course a close up inspection probably shows more issues. There is definitely something wrong with that leg on the Rooster though from your pictures it’s hard to tell quite what. Too bad they never just hold still for photos. Given the option “hold this chicken or...” my husband always picks the “or”, unless the or involves rubbing things on their little feeties!

You may want to try getting them at night when they are more docile, snag them off the roost and wrap well with a towel to get good shots of the legs. The girls I am working on as my rescues are usually so bad when I take them in they don’t fight me at all. (2lb chickens. Not bantams!) Granted, I’ve never had to try and treat a rooster for it, from my experiences handling my boys that could be exciting. Husbands are good chicken helpers.

Best wishes and I’ll keep following along with you, they are beautiful birds, despite their previous circumstances!

I will try tonight to get a good picture of him. I so appreciate the help.